HEPATITIS-VIRUS-C INFECTION PRESENTING AS A POLYARTHRITIS - REPORT OF2 CASES

Several disease have been associated with hepatitis C virus infections , including rheumatologic, hematologic and neoplastic disorders. We re port two women, aged 57 and 39 years old whom the initial presentation of hepatitis C virus infection was an arthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis. Laboratory work up revealed abnormal liver function tests, stimulating the search for hepatitis C virus infection, having both p atients positive ELISA tests. Detection of this agent is extremely imp ortant when selecting a therapy for the articular disease, since sever al drugs used in the treatment of rheumatic disorders are potentially hepatotoxic and immunosuppression is risky in the setting of a viral h epatitis.